Involvement of Brain Dopaminergic Structures in Neuroimmunomodulation

Abstract

Bilateral electrolytic destruction of the brain areas containing dopamine (DA) cell bodies (nuclei A9 and A10) as well as terminal regions of the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DAergic systems (nuclei caudatus and accumbens) resulted in a considerable decrease in the intensity of the immune response in rats immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Administration of SRBC (5 x 10(8) i.p.) to rats produced a marked rise in activity of central DAergic system at early stage of the immune response formation. The most pronounced elevation in the concentration of DA and its metabolites, measured by the method of high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, was observed in the terminal regions of the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DAergic systems (nuclei caudatus and accumbens), hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala within 20 min following antigen inoculation. By 60 min after immunization DA metabolism has been retained at a high level in all brain regions examined. The concentration of DA returned to control level in the amygdala and hypothalamus 24 hours after antigen administration and had a tendency to reach control values in the rest of the structures. The present results indicate that nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DAergic systems and DAergic structures of the hypothalamus are involved in the mechanisms of neuroimmunomodulation.

Evidence for the Nucleus Accumbens as a Neural Substrate of Heroin-Induced Immune Alterations

“…Alterations in dopamine signaling produced by opioid exposure may be particularly relevant to opioid-induced immune dysfunction given reports that mesoaccumbens dopamine neurons modulate the immune response (Deleplanque et al, 1994;Devoino et al, 1997). Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that morphine-induced suppression of NK cell activity is mediated by dopamine D 1 type receptors located in the nucleus accumbens shell, whereas dopamine D 2 type receptors do not seem to be involved (Saurer et al, 2006a).…”

Role of the striatum in the humoral immune response to thymus-independent and thymus-dependent antigens in rats

“…In addition, the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra or dopaminergic terminals in the caudate nucleus by in situ injection of 6-hydroxydopamine decreases the antibody response and impairs cell-mediated immunity [6,7,9,10]. Moreover, bilateral lesions of nigrostriatal pathways induced by systemic injections of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropymidine decrease proliferation of T lymphocytes induced by mitogens or alloantigens [11,12].…”

“…Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the caudate nucleus of rats do not reduce the intensity of cell-mediated immune responses or the production of antibodies to bovine serum albumin (BSA) [1]. On the other hand, the same kind of lesions results in a reduction of the antibody immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) [6][7][8].…”

The Central Nervous System Modulates the Immune Response to Salmonella

“…Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the caudate nucleus of rats do not reduce the intensity of cell-mediated immune responses or the production of antibodies to bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Jankovic and Isakovic 1973). On the other hand, such lesions result in a reduction of the antibody immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) (Devoino, Alperina et al 1997;Devoino, Cheido et al 2001;Nanda, Pal et al 2005;Rivera-Aguilar, Querejeta et al 2008). In addition, the destruction of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra or dopaminergic terminals in the caudate nucleus by in situ injection of 6-hydroxydopamine decreases the antibody response and impairs cell-mediated immunity (Deleplanque, Vitiello et al 1994;Devoino, Alperina et al 1997;Devoino, Cheido et al 2001;Filipov, Cao et al 2002).Furthermore, bilateral lesions of nigrostriatal pathways induced by systemic injections of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropymidine reduce the number of leukocytes, alter lymphocyte populations,decrease proliferation of T lymphocytes induced bymitogens or alloantigens, and modify the synthesis of cytokines (Renoux, Biziere et al 1989;Bieganowska, Czlonkowska et al 1993;Shen, Hebert et al 2005;Engler, Doenlen et al 2009).…”